Patty Hajdu has found a new home as the executive director of the Thunder Bay Shelter House.
Officials with the Shelter House, which is located on George Street, announced Hajdu’s new position on Wednesday. Hajdu stepped down from her role on the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy to take on her new position as executive director, which she officials begins on Aug. 20.
“It’s really exciting and a great feeling,” Hajdu said. “I’m very excited to work on something so very near and dear to my heart.”
Hajdu follows in the footsteps of outgoing executive director Cal Rankin who took on a new position with Hagi Transit.
Hajdu said she knows she has big shoes to fill but her experience on the Drug Strategy has helped her prepare for the task of managing the Shelter House.
“For me, my goal is really pushing forward the issue about homelessness and housing in particular,” she said.
“Housing is a basic human right and it is a determinant of health and I come from a public health background and we looked at the actual determinants of people for their wellness and health. Without the basics in place, it’s really hard for people to be healthy and to move forward in their recovery or journey.”
Hajdu said it’s scary to know that there’s been an increase in the demand for the services at the Shelter House but she added that she felt confident that she could handle the responsibility.
Jerry Williams, chair of the board of directors for the Shelter House, said they have been working hard for the past few months to find a suitable replacement for Rankin and felt Hajdu could do a good job in handling those responsibilities.
“We owe a large thanks to Rankin, however, we’re looking towards the future now and we are very fortunate to have Patty,” Williams said. “She’s very articulate, very smart and she knows the community. She will be instrumental in fundraising and in communications.”
